BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. China beats Japan to win Women's Basketball Asia Cup
Members of Team China celebrate after the award ceremony of the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Sydney, Australia, July 2, 2023. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
China lifted its first Women's Basketball Asia Cup since 2011 after fighting back to earn an epic 73-71 victory over Japan on July 2, ending the five-time reigning champions' stranglehold on the Asian title.
Chinese center Han Xu was named the tournament's MVP.
2. China upsets U.S. in Women's Volleyball Nations League
Chinese players pose for photos after winning the 2023 Volleyball Nations League match against the United States in Suwon, South Korea, July 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)
China staged a dramatic comeback to stun the United States 3-2 (18-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20, 15-8) on July 2, wrapping up its journey in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) preliminary round on a triumphant note.
After defeating hosts South Korea 3-1 on July 1, China had already secured its spot in the final round of eight teams, set to compete in Arlington, the U.S., from July 12 to 16.
3. Wang Chuqin becomes new ITTF men's singles world No. 1
China's Wang Chuqin in action during the men's singles final match against his compatriot Fan Zhendong at the 2023 ITTF Table Tennis World Championships Finals in Durban, South Africa, May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)
Chinese paddler Wang Chuqin became the new world No. 1 in the men's singles category, as the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) released its latest world rankings on July 4.
Wang's compatriot Fan Zhendong had held the top spot for 142 consecutive weeks. With the ITTF world ranking points from Singapore Smash 2022 expiring, 23-year-old Wang snatched the top honor from Fan.
4. China announces squad for FIFA Women's World Cup
Chinese players after the 2022 EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship women's match against Japan at Kashima Soccer Stadium in Kashima City in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, July 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
China announced on July 5 its final 23-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Six veterans on the list, including Wang Shanshan, Wu Haiyan and Wang Shuang, have played at two World Cups. Three other players in the squad featured at the previous World Cup in France in 2019, while the remaining 14 players will be making their first appearances at women's football's showpiece event.
The Steel Roses have set a goal of reaching the quarterfinals at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which starts on July 20.
5. Harbin of China selected to host 2025 Asian Winter Games
Harbin mayor Zhang Qixiang (2nd R) delivers a speech during the presentation by the Harbin Bid Committee to the Olympic Council of Asia at the 42nd OCA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, July 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, was chosen by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to host the 2025 Asian Winter Games on July 8.
The OCA made the decision at its 42nd Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand.
It will be the second time Harbin hosts the Asian Winter Games - the first was in 1996 - and the third time the regional games are held in a Chinese city, the other being in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, in 2007.■